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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Yet-to-Open Westwood Hospital Already Has Expansion Aims

HUMC-Pascack Valley CEO Chad Melton wants the hospital to increase bed counts within the next few years, according to northjersey.com. Melton said he doesn't think Bergen competitors will "lose volume" as a result.

With Valley Hospital struggling to modernize its own facilities through a controversial expansion project, a major competitor announced it too has visions of expansion – and it's not even open for business yet. According to a Sunday report on northjersey.com, Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley is optimistic its new facility will drum up enough business to quickly expand. Pascack Valley Hospital declared bankrupcy in 2007 and has been dormant since. “If we truly have the volume here and the support we think, within the next three years we’ll be looking to add inpatient rooms,” Chad Melton, chief executive of the 128-bed hospital, told the news website. HUMC-Pascack Valley, scheduled to open June 1, is the first for-…

BOE's Contract with Hekemian Tops Town News this Week

The overwhelming reaction to the BOE's vote approving a 'conceptual' contract with the developer of the United Water property dominated the conversation in town this week.

Jaws dropped and tensions mounted during Tuesday's Zoning Board meeting at the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams.'  Depsite the loud response that accompanied the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a three-acre parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams,' the Board of Ed stands by their decision. Defending the BOE's decision, Superintendent Michael Polizzi said, "Creating 21st Century learning environments extend past the walls of the classrooms." It took four …

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Board of Ed Stands By Decision to Enter Agreement with Hekemian, Attorneys Weigh In

The revelation that the Board of Education entered into a conceptual agreement with Hekemian for a 'field of dreams' has raised the temperature on the United Water property conversation.

The aftershocks of the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a three-acre parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams' have rippled throughout community since Tuesday's meeting of the Zoning Board. Board of Education president, Darren Drake, said that the Board's approval of entering into a 'conceptual contract' with Hekemian for three-acres of property to construct a field of dreams-like "state of the art" athletic field is in line with the Board's vision of moving the district forward, athletically as well as academically. "As a Board, we are charged not only with the academic component of a superior education, but also the …

karen

10:33 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013

why then did we have a say in this, this past november   more ›

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Assemblywomen Join N.Y. Legislators in Urging Cuomo to Sign Bi-State Flood Prevention Measure

Bill would create joint commission to prevent flooding hazards in Bergen & Rockland counties if Cuomo signs on.

Assemblywomen Connie Wagner and Valerie Vainieri Huttle joined with New York state legislators Wednesday to urge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill to help stem the tide of reoccurring flooding in communities in Bergen and Rockland counties.  Those who spoke at the press conference with Lake Tappan as a backdrop stressed the need for a commission that would bring representatives of both states to work together in a collaborative and coordinated effort on flood mitigation and water supply plans. New Jersey already enacted a companion law (A-2440) in 2011 sponsored by Wagner and Vainieri Huttle.  In order to create the bi-state commission both states must enact similar legislation. The fate now rests in Cuomo’s hands with New York…

Ulises

9:17 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013

Assemblywomen Connie Wagner, thank you for your hard work addressing our county's flooding issues.   more ›

New Milford BOE Enters into Contract for 'Field of Dreams' with Hekemian

"Conceptual contract" includes Hekemian donation of 3 acres of property and a 'sizable' donation for BOE to construct an athletic stadium.

Jaws dropped and tensions mounted during Tuesday's Zoning Board meeting at the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams.'  Attorney for the applicant, Antimo "Andy" DelVecchio, informed the Zoning Board that Hekemian had entered into a "conceptual contract" with the New Milford BOE to donate "in excess" of three acres of property to construct a field of dreams-like "state of the art" athletic field and stadium on a parcel of property that is not subject to flooding. DelVecchio stressed that the developer is not building the athletic stadium, they are only donating the land and a "…

fortunes

10:35 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013

anyone go by the shop-rite in paramus lately?--traffic--stop lights--trucks--congestion--is that what's instore for NM?--horrible   more ›

Former Gov. Whitman: Vote For Women, Minorities and Chris Christie

New Jersey's only female governor spoke at the Bergen County Women's Republican Club's 90th anniversary celebration.

Former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman urged attendees at the Bergen County Women's Republican Club's 90th anniversary celebration Wednesday to vote for minorities, women and Gov. Chris Christie.  "We need people with different life experiences, with different ways of thinking, to be at that [decision-making] table," Whitman said during her keynote address at Seasons in Washington Township. Whitman, New Jersey's first and only female governor, said she supported more women and citizens from minority groups running for office and also voiced support for Governor Christie in his run for re-election against Democrat Sen. Barbara Buono.  Whitman pointed to Christie’s willingness to work across party lines. "We really can set the pace for the nation…

Deleted because of harassment

2:19 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013

It's not nonsense if there is an open push against voting for women and minorities. Yes, we need to vote for the most qualified person first - but somehow we ended up with a guy whose political experience as a single term freeholder and a politically appointed US Attorney over the minority and the woman last time. Hopefully not this time.   more ›

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Donovan Calls for Attorney General to Investigate Sheriff's Department

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan says sheriff's officers "jeopardized" public safety by not following protocol on handling "live explosives" at the Bergen County gun buyback in April.

The ongoing feud between Sheriff Michael Saudino and County Executive Kathleen Donovan intensified again this weekend, with Donovan calling for the attorney general to investigate claims the sheriff's department jeopardized the public's safety in handling "live mortar rounds". In a statement released to the press on Saturday, Donovan said the sheriff's department failed to turn live mortar rounds to Bergen County Bomb Squad members during the April 13-14 county gun buyback, as is protocol. "We applaud the Sheriff for a successful and worthwhile program, but we are concerned about the inappropriate and potentially dangerous way live mortar rounds were dealt with," Donovan said. "My concern is that the safety of the citizens of Bergen County…

delgado

8:17 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013

Its clear double dipper Donovan has checked out and is filing numerous lawsuits to help out Trewinski and his law firm. It makes sense that is why the NWBCUA is being forced to use Trewinski law firm for legal work. Add in Fair Lawn Deputy Mayor/Deputy Chief of Staff large 23% raise working for Donovan and its clear Donovan will not be serving another term.   more ›

Friday, May 10, 2013

2013 Municipal, School and County Budgets Increase Taxes

New Milford homeowners will see a total average annual increase of approximately $217 with the municipal and school budgets adopted, and the county budget introduced,

Each year school districts, municipal governing bodies, and county governing bodies submit their adopted budgets to the County Tax Boards outlining their budgetary requirements. The various levies are totaled to represent the “amount to be raised by taxation” for each taxing jurisdiction. The 2013 Municipal Budget of $19.3 million with its tax levy of $15,784,067 shows a tax increase of $47 per year for a house assessed at the new average assessment of $321,339. In order to meet the costs of the special and unanticipated capital projects included in the 2013 capital portion of the budget, the borough will need to exceed the 2 percent cap in order to fund the projects. Local governments can circumvent the 2.5 percent cap on municipal budget…

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Lori Barton

8:43 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013

@John: Just a point of reference. Teachers are not paid for the NJEA convention days. They are not paid for any legal holidays. They don't work those days but they only get paid for the days they work. If their contract says their school year is 187 days, then they get paid for the 187 days they are in school and not for any of the others.   more ›

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Report: Crossroads Settlement Talks Reach Impasse

Pending litigation over the proposed 600,000 square foot retail development will not settle, report says. The lawsuits now await a judge’s decision.

Editor's note: Since Crossroads has been brought up during certain points of the New Milford Zoning Board hearings regarding the proposed development of the United Water property by Hekemian, this article may be of interest to those who have been following those hearings closely. After two rounds of discussions at a Superior Court in Hackensack, the three parties involved in two pending lawsuits surrounding the proposed Crossroads Town Center development on Route 17 will not settle out of court, NorthJersey.com reported Wednesday. According to the report, the Committee to Stop Mahwah Mall, a resident group that formed in 2011 to fight the proposed project, demanded during settlement talks this week that the two “big box stores” be removed …

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Christie: Weight Loss Surgery 'Intensely Personal Issue'

Governor chides reporters for obsessing about 'silly,' 'shallow' subject, says he is not a role model

Gov. Chris Christie reluctantly fielded reporters’ questions Tuesday about his February Lap-Band surgery, but said he would not be providing the public with any news as he heads towards his weight-loss goal, which he pointedly refused to disclose. "This is it. You ask me any more questions about this, I’m not answering,” Christie said during a groundbreaking ceremony at a Newark vocational high school. "I’m not going to be giving you all updates as this goes along. ... I’m not giving people a day-by-day, week-by-week, blow by blow," he said, adding, "I don’t care to be a role model for anyone. This is an intensely personal issue." The governor told the New York Post Monday night he’d had Lap-Band surgery in February because of concerns …

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9:58 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013

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